Attitudes Towards Assisted Dying in Dementia: A Focus Group Study with Younger and Older Adults

• Published in: Omega: Journal of Death and Dying Vol. 88; no. 3; pp. 1051 - 1067
• Main Authors: Thompson, Freya, Nelson, Alexandra R., Coats, Rachel O., Johnson, Judith
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.02.2024; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Age differences; Assisted suicide; Attitudes; Death & dying; Dementia; Empowerment; Focus groups; Killing; Morality; Older people; Vignettes; dementia; euthanasia; assisted dying
• ISSN: 0030-2228; 1541-3764
• DOI: 10.1177/00302228211063297

Objectives: To explore attitudes towards assisted dying in dementia (ADID) and the rationales underlying these attitudes, among younger and older adults. Method: We conducted separate focus groups with younger (n = 11) and older adults (n = 14) in the United Kingdom with personal or professional experience of dementia. Discussions were prompted by two vignettes depicting scenarios of ADID. The data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Though sometimes stronger in the older adults, many of the attitudes and underlying rationales were common across the age groups. Analysis generated four themes: ‘Perceptions of the disease’, ‘A case for empowerment’, ‘The morality of killing’ and ‘Logistical complexities’. Conclusions: For some, ADID was a hopeful alternative to the challenges they had witnessed in dementia. For others, the logistical problems surrounding ADID were insurmountable. Discussions were informed and insightful, highlighting the importance of including the general public in this ongoing debate.